Suspect in Charlie Kirk killing to make first court appearance

PROVO, Utah (NewsNation) — Prosecutors in Utah are preparing to file a capital murder charge against the man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old Utah native, is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, where he is expected to be formally charged with multiple felonies, including aggravated murder, discharge of a firearm and obstruction of justice. The aggravated murder count carries the possibility of the death penalty or, at a minimum, 25 years in prison.

“To get aggravated murder, they’re basically making the argument that Tyler Robinson killed Charlie Kirk in a way that posed a grave danger to others … opening fire in a crowd," Jesse Webber, NewsNation's legal contributor and Law and Crime Network, told "Morning in America." "Yes, the target was Charlie Kirk, but when you open fire with 3K people around, that presents a grave risk of death to others."

Robinson will appear via video link from the county jail, where he has been held without bail since his arrest.

FBI Director Kash Patel recently revealed new evidence tying Robinson to the scene of last week's shooting at Utah Valley University, where Kirk was speaking. Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA and an ally of President Donald Trump, was widely credited with energizing young Republican voters and playing a key role in Trump’s 2024 presidential victory.

Patel said investigators have been piecing together evidence, including a rifle and ammunition engraved with anti-fascist and meme culture messaging and references, as well as other items reportedly linked to Robinson through DNA evidence, including a towel wrapped around a rifle and a screwdriver found on the rooftop where the fatal shot was fired.

Authorities said Robinson left a note before the shooting stating he planned to "take out Kirk," which was later destroyed, and investigators were still working to determine a motive.

Federal and state authorities have alleged Robinson was radicalized by "leftist ideology," citing a reportedly romantic relationship with a transgender woman.

Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray’s office is expected to file the charges formally Tuesday, followed by a news conference.

Webber said federal charges are also a possibility, depending on the evidence uncovered by investigators.

Tyler Robinson, on Sept. 12, 2025. (Utah Governor's Office via AP)